Cherokee NJROTC marks 17th annual military inspection

ROGERSVILLE — Cherokee High School NJROTC held its 17th annual military inspection (AMI) Wednesday morning with 118 cadets standing for inspection by the Commanding Officer, Naval Recruiting District Nashville, CDR Tonrey M. Ford.

Following the inspection phase, Cadet Lt. Junior Grade Jewel MacGregor served as the master of ceremonies for the ceremonial phase of the AMI.

After calling the cadets to attention and receiving muster reports from platoon officers, Cmdr. Heather Whitt ordered the company to attention for the opening remarks of the cadet chaplain, Senior Chief Skylar Altman, and the presentation of colors by the NJROTC color guard.

The national anthem was then sung by Cadet Lt. Elizabeth Massengill.

During the ceremonial phase, cadets demonstrated unarmed drill led by Lt. Cmdr. Emily Harris, armed drill led by Cadet Master Chief Zachary Strauss and exhibition led by Harris.

Cadets Cynthia Pierce and Travis Baxley were promoted to lieutenant junior grade for their work as platoon officers, and Cadet Maisie Smith was promoted to petty officer first class for her remarkable community service efforts this year.

Cadets Kendall Chamberlain, Hannah Collins, Zachary Eisenhuth, Gabriella McCollough and Jared Short received medals for their efforts in Wreaths Across America.

This marks the fourth year that Cherokee cadets have participated in WAA, and to date the people of Hawkins County have helped them donate $37,687 to WAA to place wreaths on graves at Mountain Home VA Cemetery in Johnson City.

The staff platoon was under the command of Cadet Lt. Cmdr. Emily Harris and Senior Chief Douglas Napier. The 1st Platoon was under the command of Cadet Lt. Junior Grade Austin Myers and Cadet Senior Chief Gabriel Stowe, followed by the color guard commanded by Cadet Lt. Kameron Sauceman. The 3rd Platoon was commanded by Cadet Ensign Cynthia Pierce and Senior Chief Andrew Villa, followed by 4th Platoon commanded by Cadet Ensign Travis Baxley and Senior Chief Kendall Chamberlain.

Every year during AMI, ten cadets from all cadets of Cherokee’s NJROTC unit are selected to receive a medal based on outstanding appearance and exemplary conduct in uniform during the inspection. This year’s Cadets are: Hannah Collins, Haley Jarnigan, Katelyn Ramsey, David Lewis, Gabriel Lyons, Noah Elkins, Jessica Rawlings, Jade Owens, Madison Lawson, and Elizabeth Massengill.